Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of the feasability of reordering the funding of the division of natural resources upon the premise that a reduction in the cost of hunting and fishing licenses would produce a concomitant increase in the number of licenses sold, an increase in the number of sportsperson attracted to the state and, consequently, rewarding increases in employment and the amount of sales taxes collected.

Whereas, According to some sources, the 1989 increase in the cost of hunting and fishing licenses cost the state over 100,000 in visitors in the year of increase, and a considerable portion of that number have never returned; and
Whereas, A basic hunting and fishing license costs $17.00 and, if the sportsperson intends to take antlerless deer, boar, duck, trout or bear, a stamp for each is needed at a cost ranging between $4.00 and $7.50 each; and
Whereas, The approximate $17 million in programs of the division are funded principally with revenues produced from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and federal contributions from the state's share of federal excise taxes; and
Whereas, It is calculated that a reduction to $4.00 or $5.00 in the cost of hunting and fishing licenses and a waiver of all stamp fees would produce a substantial increase in the number of licenses sold; and
Whereas, It is calculated that, as a result of the increased tourism produced by reducing the cost of hunting and fishing licenses, approximately 1,500 additional jobs will be produced; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study the existing funding of the programs of the division of natural resources and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature 2001, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.